Chapter 55, North of Iron Stem
The sun was just appearing on the horizon when Alucius walked into the kitchen, finding his mother already at work at the big stove. It appeared she must have been at work for a couple of glasses already.
"Mother, did you go to bed at all last night?"
"Of course, I did, son. We have a very important guest and I intend to see that he is well fed. I assume he'll be hungry as he's already up and about," she replied.
"Really? Where is he?"
"Outside somewhere. He stuck his head in about a quarter of a glass ago to say he'd be outside. Perhaps he's with the troopers," she suggested.
Alucius grabbed his jacket and hurried outside. He could see the troopers moving about, preparing for breakfast and changing the men manning the lookout posts. He could also see the Lord Protector standing off by himself facing out towards the quarasote flats. Alucius came to stop several paces behind and off to the side a bit. The Lord Protector looked back over his shoulder and said,
"Good morning, Colonel. I have to say, I don't believe I could ever make my home here. But for those born to it, I can understand the allure. There is much beauty in the starkness. I assume that is the Aerlal Plateau out there?"
"Yes, sir. Six or so thousand yards, nearly straight up. It is quite a few vingts away."
The man merely nodded and then said,
"I'll be very interested to know what you and Wendra find up there, once you begin your explorations."
Turning to face his host, Talryn smiled a bit and asked,
"It will be possible for me to accompany you while you take out your flock?"
"I'd imagine so, sir. Between my grandfather, Burtyl and myself, along with a dozen or so troopers familiar with riding through quarasote, we should be able to prevent any trouble," Alucius replied.
"Colonel, why is that I think you are going to extraordinary measures for my sake? Isn't it true that a herder often goes out by himself, or herself for that matter?"
"That is absolutely true, sir. A herder that has lived all his or her life on a stead, been trained for years by an experienced elder most certainly does do that. Unfortunately, were I to take you out there, just the two of us, I would be splitting my attention between you and the flock. Such distraction could be disastrous. I for one would not want to have to explain to the Lady Alerya how a sandwolf managed to sink it's crystal fangs into her husband," Alucius replied with a straight face.
The Lord Protector regarded his adviser with raised eyebrows and then said,
"I think it's the face. It makes it extremely difficult to tell if you are being serious or cleverly sarcastic."
"Sir, when the safety of the ruler of most of Western Corus is in the balance, you can be assured I'm being very serious. And it goes without saying, that should anything happen to you, including saddle sores, my wife and mother would never let me hear the end of it," Alucius said, a small smile breaking through at the end.
Talryn laughed and gestured for Alucius to lead him back to the house so they could have breakfast and start their day. When they entered the kitchen, they found it set and Royalt and Burtyl already seated. Both began to rise but Talryn waved them off.
"Please, don't. As of this moment, I am the fledgling apprentice and I am here to learn."
As Lucenda was putting a platter of ham slices on the table she regarded the Lord Protector and said,
"Perhaps the apprentice should take a turn at the wash basin to clean the breakfast platters."
The Lord Protector regarded the older woman while the other three men watched with eyes wide.
"You wash your tableware, Madame? I always thought that they were simply thrown away and new ones provided at each meal."
Lucenda watched him for a moment, then laughed a bit and said,
"Scamp," and went back towards the stove while Talryn laughed.
Alucius and Talryn finished getting seated and everyone began to help themselves. When Alucius saw that the Lord Protector was only taking a single slice of ham and egg toast he said,
"Sir, I suggest you take more than that. It's a long day in the saddle and there really isn't any time for a midday meal, just dry meat and biscuits while in the saddle."
Talryn nodded and added another slice of each. It was only half a glass later when Burtyl pulled the door to the stock barn open while the other riders mounted up. The Lord Protector had asked to ride with Royalt for the first part of the morning. He was going to be riding Wendra's usual mount as it was a very docile animal that was quite adept at moving through the quarasote. With the flock bunched up at the beginning of the day, Burtyl was close to Alucius. He turned to look over his shoulder at the dozen troopers that were moving out to form a rear and flanking guard.
He then directed his attention toward where the Lord Protector rode close to Royalt, a conversation already having begun. When he looked over at Alucius he saw he was being watched as well.
"What troubles you, Burtyl? I can feel your discomfort from here."
The younger man took a deep breath and said,
"It's just that I don't understand what this is all about, sir. All I've ever been told about herders is that they, I guess we, have always been very secretive and had very little to do with the outside world unless it was absolutely necessary. Now I see you hosting first the Commandant and now the Lord Protector himself. How did herders get to be so important all of a sudden?"
Alucius smiled a bit and said,
"Afraid you're going to be called to assist the Lord Protector's council of advisers someday?"
"Well, no sir, but it's just..." Burtyl said with a big shrug.
"Rest easy, Burtyl. First consider this. The Commandant is a friend and former comrade in arms. His visits are as much a matter of friendship, and a free home cooked meal, as for any other reason. As to the Lord Protector, he's trying to learn and to understand the land and people of which he's become the ruler. It probably hasn't helped that his rule has been on a war footing almost from the start. Times are changing, Burtyl. We all have things we are going to have to get familiar with.
"Think about it for a moment. The Cataclysm was probably a very short event, maybe even only the work of a single day. The day before was probably like every other day had been for a thousand years before hand. Then everything was different but slowly settled down to a similar sameness. Now we've had to deal with a period of a few years of great upheaval. Our lifetimes will probably be spent dealing with things settling down to the next period of sameness, and this is just a part of it. And if you doubt me, just think of what you are going through in your life."
The young herder in training looked out over the slowly spreading flock and nodded his head. Alucius looked forward, watching as his grandfather made some point, based on the gesture he was making, a sort of all encompassing sweep with his arm. Around mid morning they were several vingts out from the house and Royalt was waving Alucius to come forward. Urging his big gray into a faster walk he met the other two men in a few moments.
"The Lord Protector would like to talk to you, son. I'll drop back and help Burtyl watch the rear of the flock, although I doubt we'll see any sandwolves with all these troopers about. Unless one of them begins to lag behind."
"That's why I strongly suggested they stay in pairs," Alucius said with a wry grin.
Falling in besides the Lord Protector, Alucius waited.
"Your grandsire tells me he suspects you are the most capable herder to come along in many generations, perhaps ever."
"I'm not sure I'd know how he'd know that, sir."
"I'd hazard the guess that he knows more than even you are aware of, Colonel," the Lord Protector said and then fell silent again as they rode for a few more minutes before continuing. "I know that in your travels, Colonel, you have seen some of what was left by the ancients. I suppose now we'll have to change how we think of those we call 'ancient'."
"Yes, sir. Most of it was built by the Ifrits, or Efrans. Dereka has some that was built by the Soarers and their kind," Alucius.
"Then I assume you recognized that the lower level of the palace dates back to those earlier constructions, which would mean prior to the cataclysm."
"Yes, sir. The table chamber looked very much like others I have been to."
"Have you ever wondered then, why next to nothing remains of the knowledge of those times? And I'm not referring to things like their weapons that we've seen recently. But nothing of their way of life, their politics, their history. Not even copies of copies of copies. Do you know that the best information I have of the founding of the line of Lord Protectors, is a reference to a thousand year old manuscript that supposedly contained a comment about a rumor that the original Lord Protector was a trooper, maybe an officer, who had pulled together a force after the Cataclysm and set himself up in Tempre."
The Lord Protector looked out over the arid landscape and then back to Alucius.
"What of you herders, Colonel? What do your traditions tell you about you and your nightsheep and your ties to this land?"
"Not a great deal, sir. No on knows for sure when we started to make nightsilk or how it was really discovered. We believe that Iron Stem got it's name from the old iron mines and they supposedly date to the time before the Cataclysm. There are old stories that suggest that the coal mines that supported the iron works were manned by undesirables and the superstitions linger about those old mines being cursed or haunted or some such," Alucius said, adding a shrug for emphasis. "Sometimes when I was first learning how to process the fleeces into the thread I wondered who the first herder was that was able to figure it out. What inspired him or her to think that the wool was so special or could be worked in just such a way. It doesn't seem to be the sort of thing one would stumble upon by accident."
"The Soarers perhaps. From what you tell me, it seems there is, or was, a close relationship."
"Perhaps, sir. During my time with them, they revealed almost nothing of technology to me. It was all about using what was up here," Alucius said, tapping his forehead, "to fight against the Efrans and the strange creatures associated with them. That's what Wendra and I hope to discover once we start exploring."
Talryn nodded once and then seemed to give himself a shake and sat himself a little straighter in the saddle.
"We will make use of what we can from the past, but it is to the future we must look. We've made a good start, I believe. And speaking of the future, what thoughts have you given to the Dramurians?"
"Well, sir, the thought I've had the most is that we don't know very much about them. And I don't imagine that I would do a better job than your agents at talking to someone in a tavern by the docks at Southgate, so I'll have to take a trip there and see for myself."
Talryn looked over at the tall herder and said,
"Since you have traveled repeatedly to the east of the Spine, I won't question your ability to travel such distances, but what about the expanse of water you would need to cross?"
"Rivers have posed no problems, so far, sir. I'm not aware of any restriction based on experience or the training I've had. The best way to find out is to try. And with Burtyl doing so well, I can afford the time it will take, no more than a week I think, to get an idea of what we might be up against."
"Do you know what you need to be looking for?" the Lord Protector asked.
"In general, I was going to try and determine the number of ships they have, whether or not they and the so called pirates are one and the same. Also, what they have in terms of regular troops, militias, overall numbers, that sort of thing."
Talryn nodded, then added,
"Anything that you can discover about their day to day lives would help as well. Perhaps there is some trade that we might be able to engage in that would help defuse the situation. I do not relish the thought of this having to fall to strength of arms to resolve."
"I couldn't agree with you more, sir."
Talryn fell silent for a time and Alucius used his Talent to scan the surroundings as far as he could for signs of sandwolves. After a few moments he caught their signature color and he stood upright in his stirrups trying to make visual contact, for it felt not all that much of a distance off.
At the same time, the lead rams began to move into a protective arc. Alucius looked back at his grandfather, who signaled his understanding. Apparently, numbers might not be the deterrent that they had thought. Royalt turned and barked orders to the troopers who were covering the rear of the group. As had been discussed the evening before, the troopers were in pairs. As was also discussed, the troopers took position to cover the flanks and rear of the flock.
"Sir, if you would drop back just behind, please."
Despite his desire to see clearly all that was to occur, Talryn was smart enough to know this was Alucius' time to be giving orders, if politely. The Lord Protector wound up about a horse length behind the Colonel and just a bit closer to the flock. Almost simultaneously he heard Alucius shout 'On the left' as Royalt shouted 'right flank'.
A volley of shots rang out from the rear but the Lord Protector kept his eyes directly in front of him. It happened so fast but it was a sight he would be able to recall in vivid detail for the rest of his life. As Alucius aimed and fired at a sprinting sandwolf to their left, one of the big nightrams charged forward, moving much faster than the Lord Protector would have believed possible. An incautious wolf sought to challenge instead of flee and in the blink of an eye, and the flick of a massively horned head, the wolf was sent flying, to land some yards away, still and lifeless. A third wolf was sprinting away to the right, as if trying to use the flock as a screen. Alucius stood back up in his stirrups, held his shot a bit and then fired. The collapsing sandwolf crashed into a dead quarasote bush and lay still.
The big herder then turned his horse to look back at his grandfather who gave him the all clear sign. Alucius settled down on his saddle, turned his horse back towards the front of the herd and gestured for the Lord Protector to rejoin him.
"That was certainly exciting, Colonel. It is always thus when those things attack?"
"In general, sir. They often try to strike from both directions, but there seemed to be a few more this time. Perhaps the number of horses drew them in. For some reason they seem quite fond of horse meat," Alucius responded.
"And can every herder sense their presence as you did?"
"Yes, sir, to one degree or another. That's one of the reasons why a herder needs some touch of Talent, otherwise he won't last long out here. The other, of course, is to be able to control the nightsheep."
Talryn simply nodded. The rest of the day proceeded as normal. Or as normal as could be with the Lord of the land and an escort of troopers along. The sun was nearly down by the time the last of the sheep were in the stock barn. The Lord Protector was moving a little slowly as he turned over the reins of his borrowed mount to one of the troopers.
"My dear Colonel. I believe now I understand how you were able to ride the length and breadth of Corus. A lifetime of riding like that every day of the week but one must surely give you an iron backside."
"It does toughen one up, but I can assure you, sir, those days of riding the length and breadth of Corus put more than a little rust on that iron."
The barn yard rang to the sound of the Lord Protector's laughter. The stead played host to their eminent guest for two more days. The following day he was given an extensive tour of the facilities that processed the fleeces of the nightsheep into the various cloth that was so highly prized. On the last full day a group of herders rode up the long drive escorted by several troopers. Kustyl rode in the lead. Along with Royalt they meet with the Lord Protector in the sitting room. Alucius and Wendra rode with Burtyl herding the nightsheep towards the Aerlal plateau.
That evening, after their meal was done and the cleaning was complete, an odd sort of gather took place. The herders had left around midafternoon and the Lord Protector spent a few quiet hours before dinner making notes in a small book he had carried with him. Now, he was sitting on the front porch, little Alendra perched on his lap. Lucenda sat to his left, lightly strumming her gitar, checking the tune. Royalt, Alucius and Wendra took up position around the edges of the small veranda while the troopers stood or sat on the ground around the steps leading down.
Much to her initial annoyance, she had been persuaded to play as she usually did during a gather. The catalyst had been an off hand comment made by one of the herders suggesting it was a pity that the Lord Protector wasn't a guest of the stead during a rare gather. He further commented that a finer voice was most likely never heard in the palace at Tempre.
When the last notes of the last song of the evening had died away, Talryn looked down from his contemplation of the night sky. He took note of the sleeping child pressed against his chest. With a wry smile he gently lifted her up and passed her to her mother. Then he looked over at the child's grandmother and said,
"A genuine and unexpected pleasure, Madame Lucenda. Your champion of this afternoon was very near the point, at least in my experience. I thank you for your forbearance. If you'll excuse me."
With that the Lord Protector rose from his chair and slowly walked off the porch, through the now standing trooper contingent. He did not stop until he stood at the edge of the yard near the stock trail that led off into the quarasote. The troopers had fanned out to cover his rear and flanks. Literally. The family watched from the porch, the rest looking to Alucius for an explanation.
"An odd mix. Anticipation in the beginning, then contentment, some regret and as he was walking away, resolve. I think some decisions have been made."
A quarter glass or so later, they found out what they were, a least a few of them. Talryn walked back toward the house. He mounted the steps to the porch and resumed his seat near Lucenda. He looked around and said in a voice that wouldn't carry beyond them.
"I first would like to express my profound appreciation to you all for being my hosts and giving me the opportunity to learn a great deal. I had surmised many things based on my association with the Colonel and then his lovely consort, but these last few days have provided confirmation. I have no idea what convergence of events led to the formation of this land and it's people, but I find it hard to believe it was the result of mere coincidence. I cannot help but think your flying friends had some larger plan. As that may be, I assure you that as of this moment, it will be a matter of policy that this land, and it's people must prosper and will not be interfered with," he said, then concentrating his attention on Royalt before continuing. "I have to say, Royalt, that your compatriots impressed me greatly today and I'm confident that the new council will serve admirably."
He leaned forward and added,
"I wish it were otherwise but there are many factions at court that would find these observations to be most troubling and I would not make them widely known, but do understand that I value your wisdom and through the good offices of the Colonel here, I will hear it."
Sitting back he concluded,
"And Madame Lucenda, I beg you to take my wife's ideas seriously. I would like to see more trading ties established between north and south and something such as Alerya suggests could go a long way to break down those preconceptions I just mentioned."
"We will be going into town tomorrow after you begin your journey home, Lord Protector," Wendra began, "to discuss the proposition with my mother. And during our next visit to the palace, I'll be prepared to take measurements to begin Alerya's own set of gather best."
"Marvelous. I could not be more pleased. Perhaps we should bring this evening to an end then. We all have our tasks and I would see them well begun."
With that the odd little gather broke up, the troops going about their tasks, the family and their honored guest retiring to their beds. It would be an early morning for them all, but then again, it was always an early morning on the stead.
It was shortly after sun rise that a number of mounted riders were gathered in the yard of the stead. Facing a trio of riders prepared to spend the day riding the flats herding nightsheep was a single individual flanked by a number of troopers. To the side was a wagon with two adults and a excited toddler taking her first trip to Iron Stem not cradled in the carry pack.
"Once more, I would like to thank you all for your peerless hospitality. I must confess that all this," the Lord Protector said, gesturing with a sweep of his arm, "is much more than I had previously thought. The commonly held belief in the south that the steads of the north are home to strange barbarians is obviously grossly inaccurate. However, I imagine there is a certain safety in such notions."
Talryn took note of the look of outrage on the face of Lucenda and he could only imagine the lengths to which she would go to disabuse the southerns of these ideas. In fact, he was counting on it. He also noticed the look of wry amusement on Alucius' face.
"Something, Colonel?"
"I was just thinking, sir, about my first indoctrination lecture as a captive of the Matrites. According to them, herders live in big palaces on our secret estates, keeping the rest of the Valleys in thrall," he replied.
"And give birth to demons, yes?" Talryn replied. "Be that as it may, we all have our tasks ahead of us so I will delay you no longer. Colonel, we will see you and Wendra in two weeks time. Madame Lucenda, I am sure that Alerya will be awaiting word on what you decide. And Royalt, sir, my best to you and the council."
Turning to Faisyn, he said,
"Captain, let us be on our way."
"Yes, sir. Detail, quick trot, forward."
Talryn was due at the Dehkron docks by sun down. Alucius and the rest watched as the rear guard disappeared down the road and then Lucenda said,
"Wendra and I will take our time and let the dust settle. We should be home by dinner time," she said, and then added as she flicked the reins, "barbarians indeed, we'll show them barbarians."
Royalt and Alucius shared a chuckle while Burtyl remained respectfully silent. The younger herder moved to open the doors to the stock barn and remained in place until the last of the ewes and lambs made their way into the yard on the way to the stock trail. Once the doors were secured, he remounted and brought up the rear. The quiet of the flats once more took hold of the stead.
Chapter 56, North of Iron Stem
Two days after the Lord Protector took his leave of the stead a dispatch rider arrived and left a largish bundle for 'the Colonel', courtesy of Colonel Feran. The rider left with a full stomach after being nearly force fed a second breakfast by Lucenda. The bundle remained in the hallway until Alucius returned from his day of herding with Burtyl.
As he walked into the house he was first attacked by his daughter who demanded to be picked up first by her father and then handed off to Burtyl whose status was now something between an older brother or a young uncle. Royalt stood in the doorway to the sitting room and motioned toward the bundle.
"That came for you this morning. It's from Colonel Feran."
Alucius motioned for silence until Burtyl had carried Alendra into the kitchen to join her mother and grandmother.
"I've been waiting for this. I sent the request with Faisyn," Alucius replied as he undid the ties of the cloth covering.
The contents were that of a Matrite standard issue rifle, a cartridge belt and several boxes of cartridges. The armory at the HQ post had a number of such rifles, ammunition, and supplies captured during the various periods of hostilities.
"May I ask why?" Royalt asked.
"The lighter rifle will make it easier while I'm scouting Dramuria, plus if anything happens it will be harder to trace back. And if I don't miss my guess, they use the same chambering so I should be able to scrounge ammunition if need be."
"You have ten score rounds there, son. Are you planning on going to war with those pirates?"
"If they are indeed the pirates then we are already at war. But I prefer not to take chances. Plus, the added range might be useful."
"You're sure you must do this thing?" Royalt asked but before Alucius could answer, another voice entered the conversation.
"My thoughts exactly," Wendra said, as she entered the hallway. "Must you do this, and if so, must you do it alone?"
"Yes, and yes. Wendra, I know that you are very capable. But one thing I know is that when it comes to scouting, I'm safer alone. Grandfather can explain that to you."
"I'm sure he can but it doesn't make it any easier," his wife replied, her face taking on a serious set.
Alucius stepped up and took Wendra in his arms and said,
"Love, if it were easy, anyone could do it."
He had to step back quickly when her fist hit his ribs. It would be Wendra's last word on the matter and on the following morning, a glass before sunrise, she stood and watched as Alucius disappeared into the rock outcropping, the rifle slung over his shoulder, a pack on his back containing several days worth of supplies and a cartridge belt around his waist. She looked at the dusty rock surface for a few moments, then turned and went back into the house to help with breakfast. It was another morning on the stead.
Chapter 57, Eastern Slopes, Dramuria
A tall figure dressed in black stood in the shadows of a grove of large trees that grew up to the base of a cliff. He held his rifle in one hand as he looked at the cliff face. As he took stock he tried to reconcile what he was seeing with what he had perceived from underneath the island nation. As he crisscrossed the island he found the unmistakeable indication of a Soarer portal.
He wasn't surprised that the mirror like squares were still in existence. Just because the Soarers were gone, and most likely the Sanders as well, their constructs should still exist. What did surprise him was to find one here in Dramuria. Yes, it was cooler at this elevation but it was still much warmer than the quarasote flats. Had the world been that much colder before the Efrans arrived? With them gone was it going to get that cold again? Or were their modifications to include the introduction of the various lifeforms, to include people, going to persist?
These weren't the questions that Alucius came to Dramuria to answer but they were, in the long run, going to be the important ones. But for now he had to concentrate on the task at hand, so he dropped back down into the ground, shifted his position and rose up through the rock of the cliff to emerge in the open just in front of an unusual cave.
It was obviously not naturally formed, having a regular entrance and smooth walls, floor and ceiling. From the entrance he could see that there was a thick layer of dust near the entrance but further in the rock was bare. Bending low and stepping in he could see the polished surface, dull in the gloom. One question he would like to ask if a Soarer was still around was why did creatures who could move through solid rock at will need these portals. Did they make it easier, saving energy? So many questions.
He backed his way out of the tunnel and from this vantage point he surveyed the land spread out below him. Large trees covered several square vingts. From what he could tell from his subterranean survey, there were a number of such areas on the island along with extensive groves of smaller trees. Would they have a place in the attempts to increase life force on the continent?
With a mental shrug he faded back into the ground and made his way down to the harbor of the only concentration of population on the island, the city of Dramuria. It was getting close to sundown and he wanted to be able to take stock of the number and type of ships at the docks. He drifted slowly beneath the floor of the harbor, counting hulls. When he was satisfied he was finished he drifted inland, casting about for a spot that would give him a good overview of the harbor and docks.
As the sun set behind the peaks of the central ridge that formed the spine of the island, a lone figure perched on an outcrop, shielded by some low brush. With his Talent enhanced nightsight, he could make out the silhouettes of three 'pirate' raiders tied up at a dock at the far side of the harbor, alongside a decrepit looking warehouse. From this distance he could tell there was some activity on the decks but nothing in detail.
He estimated it would be a least a glass before total nightfall occurred, and then he would pay a visit to the warehouse to see what there was to see. He settled down behind the brush and helped himself to some of his trail food. One thing was certain. The coastal raiders were working with, at a minimum, the tacit approval of the Dramurian authorities. Or perhaps they were working under direct orders.
The major moon was full in the night sky when Alucius dropped back into the earth and drifted under the docks until he arrived beneath the large structure. From close up he could tell that more than half of the building was supported by pilings driven into the soft bed of the harbor with the docks being an extension of the entire structure. He could tell there was a number of people inside along with various objects he assumed were some kind of cargo or supplies.
He moved out from under the warehouse to emerge in some brush directly behind the rear of the building. There were two sentries, one at each corner, neither particularly alert. He could have put both of them to sleep but that would announce that something unusual was happening. He strongly suggested that they ignore his presence as he emerged from cover and he quietly walked by the one looking out toward the harbor opening to the sea. Alucius held his rifle muzzle down but cocked.
As he moved toward the dock side of the warehouse he mounted the wooden walkway that led to the dock proper. He could see another sentry leaning against the side of the building. Based on the bored attitude of those standing guard, there must not have been any credible threat in the area, or anywhere else. Moving slowly around the unobservant sentry Alucius took up station beside a small door that flanked one of the larger open barn style doors that must have been used when large items were being moved to or from the ships.
As Alucius had mentioned on more than one occasion, he had next to no practical knowledge of seafaring but it looked like at least two of the ships were being prepared for departing. Barrels were being moved from the warehouse to the shipside to be hoisted into the hold. A hand cart loaded with boxes Alucius recognized as those that held rifle cartridges was wheeled out. It appeared that another raid was being prepared.
Keeping his 'you can't see me' suggestion at full strength, he slipped inside by edging around the opening of the big door. Inside was what best could be described as organized chaos. The large number of people he had sensed were in fact men dressed in what could best be described as an un-uniform. While no one matched exactly, they were all dressed in some muted tone of brown or gray or light green. Some wore hats, others had some form of cap tucked into a belt. What they did have in common was a rifle made along the standard Corean model and a cartridge belt over one shoulder.
He reached out with his senses and he could tell that this wasn't some merchant's warehouse full of trading goods. This was a quartermaster's depot, loaded with barrels of food, boxes of ammunition, bundles of blankets, all that was necessary for war. Alucius took a deep breath. It was obvious that at least the two ships being loaded were likely to leave in the morning. He was going to have to do something.
The easiest thing to do would have been to get to a safe distance, home in on any powder or ammo stores and blow the whole thing to pieces. But that would also result in the greatest loss of human life, both in the warehouse and on the ships moored alongside. And that was something he wanted to avoid unless there was just no other way.
Then he 'found' something that was stored in several different locations in the big building. Barrels of lamp oil. Casting about further, he found smaller such barrels on the ships, needed for the lamps below decks and those used for signaling above. With a nod to himself, he eased back out the door and made his way back around and into the brush. From this position he sought out the first cache of barrels, tucked into a back corner. He concentrated briefly and a line of purple fire, visible only to himself, lanced out striking the oil. The results were gratifying.
With a dull thud one rear corner of the building blew outward and a ball of black smoky fire roared up through the shingled roof. The sentry near that corner was thrown into the brush, but Alucius felt no red wave so the man was still alive. He could also hear the growing tumult as raiders and dock workers rushed about. He took aim on the second cache and it too burst into a ball of flame, blowing out a sizeable piece of the roof more towards the center of the structure.
Amidst the growing chaos, Alucius could sense the rush of the raiders out of the building, onto the docks. So he sent out another lance of flame and a smaller thump was the result, but within the tight confines of the ship closest to the harbor mouth, it spread quickly and in moments the ship was burning fiercely from the inside out. This forced the fleeing troops, dockworkers and some sailors towards the town. To hurry them along Alucius sent off another barrel in the first ship and one in the second ship along the line.
All in all, Alucius spent perhaps a half glass, carefully demolishing the supply depot, dock and the three raiding ships. He figured perhaps a handful of lives had been lost, but many more would be saved on the mainland by preventing the planned attacks. To finish the job he reached out and found untouched oil and one small barrel of powder and set them off. The result was more smoky fire and a large detonation which caused the collapse of a quarter of the now blazing structure.
Deciding he had done enough for the time being, Alucius dropped back into the ground and made his way back to his sheltered lookout. He had a feeling the next day would prove very enlightening.
Chapter 58, Tempre, Lanachrona
Talryn sat across the leshec table from Alucius. They hadn't made a move in over an hour, as the Lord Protector had listened intently to what the herder Colonel described to him. The trip he thought would last a week lasted only four days. Enough had transpired that Alucius felt it was important to report as quickly as he could. However, he had to delay to make sure that Talryn had returned to his palace. Wendra was closeted with Alerya, first to take measurements for her set of gather best. The other matter was to discuss the samples that Alucius had brought back with him.
"So you are confident that it was Seltyrs that arrived to inspect the damage?" Talryn asked.
"Considering the quality of carriages and tack on the horse, as well as the armed escorts, I don't see who else they could have been. Three separate visits over the course of the day and none of them happy. One looked like he was ready to have a seizure," Alucius replied. "It's pretty obvious that it is as we've suspected and the raids are part of a bigger strategy."
"Well, it suffices to say you've given them a few headaches of their own. Was that the only such facility?"
"Based on what I could see. The steads or whatever they call them there seem larger on the western side of the island than the east. A few had a small coaster moored at a small dock, but nothing like a raider. It seems like the western side gets more rain due to the winds and can grow a greater variety of crops. The eastern side seems given over to nut groves and timber stands."
"Hence, greater wealth in the west. Some of the intelligence we've been able to gather points to a geographic distinction of wealth that simmers nearly constantly and occasionally boils over. I wonder if perhaps the raids are a part of all that," Talryn mused.
"While I was recovering in Southgate I was able to read a few of their histories. I got the impression that Dramurian society is very stratified and the Seltyrs are the unquestioned rulers and spend a great deal of time maneuvering against each other. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if what you suggest is indeed the case."
Talryn chuckled and shook his head. He regarded the towering enigma that sat across from him. The deadliest warrior to have lived for hundreds of years, certainly. On a level with any scholar he could name, most likely. A devoted family man who possessed capabilites that would mark him as a demon in the minds of many. And perhaps most importantly, one half of a couple Talryn and his consort had come to consider their closest and most trusted friends. He wondered if he would prove worthy.
"You might be interested to know, Colonel, that a week ago a raider attempted to attack a ship just outside the harbor at southgate. Apparently, our gunners have learned their craft. The pirates were forced to limp away with only one mast intact."
"If that was so, sir, I'm surprised they got away at all."
"The garrison commander gave orders to that effect. He thought an object lesson or two would be the better option. A lost ship could be passed off as weather related. A heavily damaged ship limping into port could be quite educational," Talyrn said with what looked suspiciously like a smirk.
Alucius merely nodded his agreement. He and the Lord Protector had already agreed that he would wait a number of weeks before returning to the island to make further assessments. The two men spent a further half glass discussing the efforts of the new Iron Valleys council, the situation along the southern highway and finally the formal end of the Matrite war.
"They remain their own masters, or mistresses, as the case may be, within their own borders. A normal trade relationship, with basic tariffs. Since we have them surrounded on three sides, they'll have to come through Lanachronan territory to trade so there was no need to try and gouge them. Your friend the customs officer was very adamant about that. I believe she mentioned something about a fair portion of a lot of transactions is worth more than an exorbitant portion of very few."
"That sounds like her," Alucius said with a smile. "Did you make any demands at all?"
"Under no circumstances will it be tolerated that they try and resume the use of those damnable collars. I understand that you removed the source of their power but who knows. I let it be known that the first word of one of those things, I'd turn you loose."
"Sir," Alucius admonished his superior mildly.
Talryn waved him off.
"Colonel, I am confident that that day will never come, based on what you've told me. However, traditions four generations old and the habits of a lifetime die hard. I thought it wise to give them something to worry about. Now, if we've spent enough time on the woes of the world, what say we pay a visit to the ladies and see how they are coming along."
"Gladly, sir."
Leaving the largely unplayed game on the board, the two men entered the private apartment and found their wives in an intense, albeit quiet discussion.
"Ah, here they are. So, dear," Alerya said, from her spot on the sofa, "how goes the world?"
"Better than it has been, but still room for improvement. How have you and Wendra been doing?"
"We have been discussing the possible introduction of the Dramurian plants. I will turn the nuts and those tree seeds over to a few of our more trusted partners to see if they can coax them to grow under some of our more trying conditions. I'm sure Colonel Alucius can attest to the need in and around Hyalt, for instance."
"Well said. And what about the most important issue of the day? Your gather outfit."
"Ah, yes, dear, well the measurements have been taken, the colors and embellishments discussed, and of course, the complication," she replied with a grin.
"Complication?" Alucius asked.
"Oh, Talryn, really? You couldn't remember?" Alerya complained.
"My apologies, my dear," the Lord Protector said, embarrassed.
"Sweetheart, Alerya is expecting a child."
As Alucius' face broadcast his surprise and delight, Alerya smiled and chuckled.
"I'm surprised you didn't see that for yourself, my dear Colonel," Talryn said.
"No, sir, I wouldn't presume to do that now."
Lady Alerya rose from her cushioned seat and stepped up to the herder who topped her by a head and shoulder and wrapped him in a tight warm hug. She looked up at his face, her eyes glistening.
"Thank you, again, dear sir for these precious gifts."
Chapter 59, North of Iron Stem, Iron Valleys.
The four adults of the prosperous spread sat up late discussing the events of the evening. The toddler daughter was asleep, as was the apprentice herder. Husband and wife sat side by side, holding hands. Father and daughter faced them from two separate seats.
"What do you think, mother?" Wendra asked, "do we wait until after the baby arrives?"
"While it's true that one normally doesn't wear ones best while expecting," Lucenda began seriously, "our every day outfits aren't all the different. We'll manage."
"Well, we've all had a long day, so I'm off to bed," the older woman said as she rose.
"I couldn't agree more," Royalt said, his movements slower but steady.
Wendra and Alucius sat together for a few moments more, when he said,
"So has Alerya's condition got you thinking?"
"I suppose so, but not yet. I'd like Alendra to be a bit older before she has a little brother or sister," Wendra replied thoughtfully. "But that doesn't mean we can't practise."
Alucius flushed but smiled as he stood up and offered his wife his hand.